We didn’t get a chance to officially say goodbye to our beautiful collie-girl, Belle, yesterday when she went off on her journey across the Rainbow Bridge. She was just lying at the foot of the stairs, on her cooling mat, as she does most of the time, and when I went over to see her, she was still. She was on her way.

That was yesterday, 9 February 2019, at about 4:30 p.m.

The rest is just words. We know not what happened, but in my gut, I think she had something like a pulmonary embolus or blood clot that must have gone to her heart. Thinking back to small symptoms over the last few weeks, that seems likely to me. But since we are not having an autopsy done, we probably won’t ever know what it really was, in detail. All we know now is that our house is without our dog, our collie, our love, our Belle. And it feels really empty. And really sad.

I’ve written before about losing our various dogs over the years, and this will be short and sweet.

Short on words.

Sweet because it’s all about the most beautiful dog soul – Belle of Crow Cottage.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

Until we meet up again, somewhere in space and time… we love you, sweet Belle. And always will.

14 Responses to Belle of Crow Cottage – 2007 ~ 2019

I just found your blog in searching for John Bailey aka Old Grey Poet. I first started blogging in the mid-1990s, and I remember him and have always wondered what happened to him. So a search brought me to your website. I haven’t found John, but I am happy to have found you.

Dear, sweet beautiful Belle. I remember well your welcoming her into your loving home where she spent her last years. I am so sorry for your loss. Senior dogs are special and should be adopted more. My Walter, a senior with one leg amputated, has been my joy theses past two years as I know Belle was for you both.

Dear Bex and Paul, I hadn’t been checking posts to our Cook’s Collies Facebook page this week and just saw your wonderful memorial to Belle. Thank you both for giving her a wonderful home in her senior years. May God bless your hearts with peace and comfort at this time. With Love, Aimee, Steve, Matthew, Aaron and Angela Cook

Bex and Paul, my heart goes out to you, losing your beautiful Belle! Her passing sounds so peaceful, in her favourite spot, with her favourite people there, wanted and loved, and dearly missed. What beautiful pictures of Belle, a lovely tribute your dear friend.

One of the saddest times is the house being flooded by the absence of a beloved presence, and their things left here and there as if frozen in time. It seems this is truly when we realize that an angel shared our home.

It’s always so hard when they go, no matter how easy the passing or the fact they they’ve had their full span of years. Best wishes to you and Paul that you are comforted with your memories of all the wonderful time you had with her.

Hello Wendy! Thanks for commenting. We only had Belle since May 30, 2016, She came to us from Iowa. So we didn’t get the benefit of knowing her until she was 9 1/2 years old! If only we could pass a law that says dogs MUST live at least 50 more years!

Dear Bex and Paul I’m so sad. Belle was such a beautiful and sweet dog. She went to the Rainbow Bridge in the home she loved, with the people she loved, and sleeping in one of her favorite spots.But I know how much you’ll miss her. {{Hugs}} Sandy